Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I first record my thanks to all those who have been involved in the very effective roll-out of the Covid vaccine up to now. I suspect that vaccine centres are happy places in which to work at the moment.

The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, told the House that those most vulnerable to Covid-19 would be the first to be protected, along with healthcare staff. In that context, I make a strong case, as have other Deputies, for kidney patients. Many such patients in my constituency have contacted me. We now know that their mortality rates from Covid-19 are similar to those for over-70s in residential care. Patients who are receiving or awaiting dialysis treatment are especially vulnerable. They have to attend hospital three times a week for three hours per visit. As the Minister is aware, they cannot cocoon and, as such, are at a higher risk of infection. Those who have had kidney transplants are in the same vulnerable position. I believe their position in the vaccination categories must be reconsidered as a matter of urgency.

The position of those with cystic fibrosis and those whose life-saving treatments or surgeries have been delayed because they have not been vaccinated also needs to be reconsidered.

I am not asking the Minister to play God. To do so would be unfair to him and to everybody else. However, I am asking that the groups I have mentioned would be central in the consideration of the national immunisation advisory committee to which the Minister referred.

I refer to front-line workers in congregated settings or residential homes for adults with disabilities. I am asking that these workers be made part of category 2 simply because they are part of category 2.

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